130 Volunteers Come Together for Volunteer Emirates 2014

Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) supports Dubai Cares as main sponsor of the volunteer program’s second edition this year

Following the successful refurbishment of the Al Bustan School in Ras Al Khaimah under the first edition of Volunteer Emirates 2014 initiative, over 130 volunteers recently (Saturday 31 May 2014), joined Dubai Cares and DEWA staff for the second edition of the initiative at the Gulf Model School in Dubai to give the 32-year old school premises an uplift. Volunteer Emirates is part of a series of local initiatives by Dubai Cares that offer UAE residents opportunities to give back to their community and support the philanthropic organization's mission.

This second edition of Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Emirates 2014, which is sponsored by DEWA, brought together individuals, academia as well as corporate volunteers in an effort to complete an array of maintenance activities - from painting murals to assembling school furniture - that play an integral role in creating the ideal learning environment for students.

Commenting on the significance of this edition of Volunteer Emirates, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares said: “Volunteer Emirates reflects our work in developing countries – increasing access to quality primary education and creating the ideal learning environment for children. It is one of the key pillars through which we engage our local community here in the UAE, and we are always impressed by the strong presence and support we receive from the public. It is the ideal platform to showcase what we do as it gives the volunteers a snapshot of our work in developing countries and also helps them experience first-hand the joy of creating an environment that inspires children and cultivate their imagination. We are delighted to have DEWA on board this time, believing in our cause and supporting us in our mission.”

As part of this edition of Volunteer Emirates, participants refurbished and enhanced the school premises; repairing furniture, painting doors, procuring and organizing playground toys, painting murals in the school hallways, assembling 30 computers and a projector, equipping the library with educational books as well as landscaping the premises with plants donated by Dubai Desert Group. In addition, the team also prepared the Chemistry lab with scientific equipment and painted murals in the multi-function room.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA said: “In line with our vision to become a Sustainable World-Class Utility, DEWA places social responsibility on top of its priorities, supporting various social and philanthropic initiatives and activities within the UAE. We continuously work to spread awareness about the importance of these activities, which aim to instill humanitarian values among members of the local community. The Volunteer Emirates initiative by Dubai Cares represents a platform that aims to encourage our employees to play an integral role in social services and humanitarian volunteering activities, which help us achieve our social responsibility goals. DEWA is committed to enhance mutual partnership with Dubai Cares to exert humanitarian and volunteering efforts, which will contribute to developing the community and ensuring a bright and sustainable future for generations to come.”

DEWA, a long standing partner of Dubai Cares, is committed to taking an ethical and sustainable attitude to the development of the community. The authority is continuing to support the underprivileged with its untiring efforts such as the highly commendable sponsorship of Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Emirates 2014 which ultimately aims to help primary school students, so that their living standards can be improved in the long-run.

“The Gulf Model School building was constructed in 1982 and there has not been much maintenance that has been undertaken since then. We are extremely grateful to Dubai Cares for asking volunteers to come into our school to boost the facility and donate useful tools including computers, lab equipment and educational facilities for our library. This new environment has boosted the children’s morale and creativity, they enjoy spending more time at school” said Adv. A. Najeeth, Chairman, Gulf Model School.

The next edition of Volunteer Emirates 2014 is scheduled to take place during the last quarter of 2014. UAE residents interested to participate in the third edition can register online at www.dubaicares.ae